I weigh myself every day and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with me

Although I’m in maintenance for almost 3 years, I’m very glad that I don’t have an “official weight day” every week or month because a few days ago after 2 months of exceptionally stable (within tenths) weight, I gained 2 pounds overnight. Because I do weigh daily, I knew that this was a fluke fluctuation. For each of us the amount of fluctuation varies by person and will be affected by one’s existing body weight. For me 2 lbs is just a bit less than 10% of my weight loss. I knew I didn’t regain 10% of my weight loss in one day. If it had been a month or more since I last got on the scale, it might have been a possibility.

If I hadn’t monitored each day, I might think I gained back 10% of my hard fought loss in spite of doing everything right. That WOULD be distressing to me. Daily fluctuation – no big deal! An upward trend? Yes, that’s a big deal that I want to turn around before it becomes more difficult. If it is a trend, I would have reason to reevaluate. Perhaps I’m not being honest about something?

Personally I think that avoiding the scale CAN become as obsessive as overusing it. However, if 66% of Americans are overweight or worse, how many of us are overusing it in the manner for which it was intended?

I’m sure that some people are too thin or “skinny-fat” but they are an ever-shrinking minority. Looking around I sure don’t see many. I would think it would also be easier for them to eat more and get fit than it is the other way around. If they actually have an eating disorder, that’s a different matter entirely, requiring serious intervention.

I also know that some people naturally can carry more weight in a healthy, successful manner than others. In the end we all make our own decisions and try to avoid judging others. We all define for ourselves what the right weight and “being healthy” means for us. Quibbling about the best method of measurement obscures the problem. We each choose the means to achieve our goals which very likely differs from that chosen by other people. We often hear that “a number on the scale doesn’t define me.” Of course it doesn’t. Neither does a specific percent of body fat or some bust, waist, hip measurement or dress size.

I’m more than a number on a scale – absolutely true. However, our collective numbers on our collective scales are continuously increasing and as a society, this is something that should concern us.